YANGON, Feb 25, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Junta supporters wielding knives and
slingshots clashed with residents in Myanmar’s largest city on Thursday, as
tensions rise after weeks of nationwide protests against the military coup
that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi.
The country has been gripped by a torrent of anger among hundreds of
thousands of people who have taken to the streets to call for the release of
the civilian leader and a return to democracy.
But on Thursday hundreds of supporters of the military marched through
Myanmar’s commercial hub Yangon carrying signs that said: “We stand with the
defence services”, referring to the junta.
Authorities granted them access to Yangon’s Sule Pagoda, a local landmark
at a key junction that in recent days was barricaded to prevent anti-coup
protesters from amassing.
Residents living in the area banged pots and pans in protest at the pro-
junta demonstration — a common practice among anti-coup protesters since the
putsch.
By noon, clashes were breaking out near Yangon Central station’s railway
compound.
Military supporters — some carrying pipes, knives and slingshots —
turned on the booing residents, witnesses said.
“They shot at us with slingshots from the car… around 10 people were
injured in the head,” said Aung Zin Lin, 38, who lives nearby.
Junta supporters brought batons, pocket knives and catapults, he added,
but local residents fought back, detaining a number of people until police
appeared.
Security forces eventually arrived to find women and children linking arms
in front of the railway compound in an effort to prevent them arresting any
anti-coup protesters.
But after a tense standoff, officers took away alleged attackers from the
pro-junta group.
“I believe they have the right to protest but they should not have used
weapons,” Zaw Oo told AFP, bruised on a rib after he was held down by a group
of assailants.
“They are the bullies.”
Unverified survelliance camera footage circulating on social media appears
to show a man armed with a knife chasing people downtown.
Alongside busy roads, Yangon locals shook fists of money at military
supporters in cars, accusing them of being paid by the junta.
Further uptown in the leafy campus of Yangon University, students marched
peacefully, carrying the red flags of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy
party.
Since the start of February, police have deployed water cannon, tear gas
and rubber bullets against protesters in several cities — with isolated use
of live rounds.
But protests in Yangon have remained largely peaceful, despite the
presence of troops and security forces barricading key junctions.
Four anti-coup protesters have been killed in crackdowns, while a man
patrolling a Yangon neighbourhood against night arrests was shot dead at the
weekend.
The military has also reported the death of at least one police officer.
BSS/